Alexandra Taylor and Shawn Clifford MacPhail

One of the many gifts Martha's Vineyard has to offer, along with the constant beauty of the sea, sand and rolling hills, is community. For Alexandra Taylor and Shawn Clifford MacPhail this was always the most important element of joining together some 230 guests. Never, however could they have imagined the previous night's hurricane howling winds, bringing, to the beginning of their life together, family and friends with the power of true community spirit in gale force. At 5:00 a.m. on Saturday October 16, 2004 the phones were ringing alerting Jim Eddy of Big Sky Tent and Party Rentals. The 46 ft. by 125 ft. reception tent was torn from the ground. Stakes were ripped three feet out, leaving mounds of earth, broken poles, canvas and tables strewn about in the lower field of Jeanne and Hugh Taylor's Outermost Inn. It was a disheartening and overwhelming site to wake up to on the morning of your daughters perfectly planned wedding.

Alex or "A.T." (As she is fondly and affectionately called) is truly the quintessential Vineyard bride. She embodies the warmth, generosity and spirit growing up in this year round island community offers. Her Mom, Jeanne Smith Taylor, has long time island family roots. She spent most of her growing up years here until her Dad's airline job took the family to Florida for about 6 years; still she returned for summers living with her aunt and uncle, Herbert and Jean Hancock. In the spring of 1969, after graduating, Jeanne returned again this time moving home for good. Alex's Pop, Hugh Taylor spent each of his July birthdays as a summer visitor on Stonewall beach. In March of '69, at the tender age of 16, Hughie drove his 55 Chevy school bus onto the island and has been here ever since. Jeanne and Hugh had been friends at the Chilmark Community square dances since they were 8 years old, were married in '74, built their first house on the property, and began the Inn in '91.

Shawn, son of Ed Morse and Karen MacPhail, grew up in Wareham, Mass, he arrived on the island twelve years ago. In January of '01 Shawn was landscaping when he met Dan Chase, a college friend of Alex's .Dan was determined to introduce the two. And as they say "the rest is history". They were a fit from the start. Though Alex was not initially enamored of the idea of marriage, seasons passed and it became clear they wanted to spend their lives together. In the spring of '04 Alex traveled with The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School, where she is employed as front office manager extraordinaire, to Italy. Returning in the spring, just before turning 29, Shawn asked what she'd like for her birthday. "An ipod, a digital camera or an engagement ring" she replied off handedly. The first week in May, Shawn was off island with his best friend, Taz Doran. His stories of the day's itinerary did not exactly match up. Though Alex was perplexed and perhaps curious, she was not expecting the outcome. Full of excitement for life and his love for Alex, Shawn arrived home. He dragged Alex unwillingly out from of her downy covers, warming her in the early spring chill insisting on a beach walk. At the edge of the serene calm of the Atlantic, at Dogfish Bar, Shawn brought forth the ring and the question. And from that yes began their lists, plans, dreams of an autumn wedding at the Inn.

Island weddings are best served by a year's time for planning, securing locations and vendors. For Alex, with her own backyard being a little piece of heaven, family, friends, and coworkers being the vendors, spring to fall was just enough time.

They met with caterer Jan Buhrman, who created the perfect sumptuous fall fare: mixed greens with gorgonzola, figs and a citrus vinaigrette, winged chicken breast with wild rice stuffing mushrooms and an anise glaze, smashed yams infused with vanilla, a sauté of shallots with yellow and green beans, cherry, pear and cranberry relish, rosemary foccacia and cornbread, served plated by her always gracious staff. Their friend, Marlene DiStefano, designed bouquets combining the glorious reds, oranges and gold's of autumn. The bride's bouquet would be a plethora of whites: rose, orchids, calla lilies and freesia, smelling and looking exquisite. Meg Bodner, a photographer friend, would be relocating here just in time to document the day. By way of Hughie, with his musical expertise and history, along with Jeremy Berlin's keyboard cocktail hour tunes, Alex's brother Isaac's divine talents, dear friend Joanne Cassidy's sultry voice, and the Sultans of Swing, music would keep guests listening, swaying and dancing throughout the night. When Alex was in college, she and her housemates had a weekly tradition of bringing home a cake, all gathering round at the table with forks in hand and sharing in the sweetness and conversation. Taking from that ritual Alex and Shawn asked 20 friends to make their favorite cake for a dessert buffet. For a more formal cake to cut together, Shawn asked for L'Etoile Restaurants' Michael Brisson, whose son he had coached in hockey; et viola, their cake was set. Ball jars ordered for "Dark and Stormys", invites sent, rentals secured, they were well on their way to a blissful wedding day.

Alex asked her childhood friend Sarah Perdoni, Mercedes Ferreira, whom she met shucking corn at the Homeport Restaurant when she was fourteen, Shannon Smith, from vineyard high school years, Karen Passamono, her college roommate, and Lindsey Scott, a wonderful 'new' island friend, to be her bridesmaids. A stunning sunset orange silk was chosen as the color of the bridesmaids dresses by designer Coren Moore. Shawn's brothers, Eddie Morse and Tiger Grenda, his best friend Taz Doran, and Alex's bro, Isaac Taylor, would complete the wedding party. For the dashing guys, they chose khakis, button-down, crisp white shirts, and a vineyard classic, "Allen Farm" wool vests.

There are often details right up until the eleventh hour. Each event takes persevering to make it as personal and unique as each couple is. For Alex and Shawn, the end of summer came with centerpieces and ceremony yet to be decided. For centerpieces many options were brought to the table. The one that won out, thanks to family friend Mike who owns a wholesale pet store/bait shop, was extra large glass bubble bowls of tropical fish. For weeks prior, rocks were soaked and scrubbed, pond plants collected, and fish rotated in various combinations. Each centerpiece would add life, color, and splendor to the tables. They'd be fun and were already engaging delightful activity and conversation in the preparation stages. They were different, sea-worthy and enchanting. At the end of the day's celebration they would become gifts to various guests.

The anticipation of creating an event, solidifying ferry reservations and accommodations for travelers can become forefront in a destination wedding. Still, at the core of any union is the ceremony. To this beginning of their marriage, Alex and Shawn found Arlene Bodge to weave together their histories, joining them in love before generations of family and friends. They were now ready for the sun to rise in the subtle hues of an October sky.

It could have been a disaster, what with 50mph winds waking them. By 6 a.m., it became clear that there would be no outside reception, anywhere. Word traveled quickly of other weddings and events relocating or worse. The Agricultural Hall was booked, and with the size of the guest list due to arrive in just 7 hours, something needed to happen, immediately. These are the trials, the moments that bring us together. Swift action, willingness and support took hold, overriding the impossible. For the next 6 hours, the core gang of wedding party family and friends entirely emptied the Outermost Inn. Jim Eddy's crew never stopped. They moved at lightening speed, saving the day. People never having met before were taking orders, setting tables, and laughing in the mayhem.

At two o'clock in the afternoon of October 16, 2004, the sun broke through as Hugh walked Alex under the wooden arch in their front yard. Everyone was there: Isaac was playing a processional he'd written on his guitar and Shawn was waiting just ahead with Arlene, the groomsmen, and her bridesmaids. Everyone was looking at them, smiling. It couldn't have been more perfect. Alexandra Taylor and Shawn MacPhail spoke their vows, their I do's and kissed, joyful to actually be standing there together, it was in fact a miracle. What a day, the kind that creates stories and memories forever. As they recessed through the crowd they knew they were surrounded in love and the true spirit of community.

Alexandra Taylor and Shawn Clifford MacPhail

October 16, 2004 - Aquinnah Massachusetts